Doctors’ Union Demands Immediate End to 24/7 Hospital Shifts

Public hospitals face a return to on-call systems after the Employment Relations Tribunal ruled grueling 91-hour work weeks unlawful. The Government Medical and Dental Officers Association (GMDOA) has called for the immediate abolition of the “24/7” shift system currently operating in regional hospitals.

The demand follows a landmark ruling by the Employment Relations Tribunal (ERT) on 15 January, which declared the working arrangement illegal.

Tribunal Cites “Unilateral” Changes

Presided over by Vice-President Shameer Janhangeer, the tribunal found that the 24/7 framework—introduced in 2022—represented an “unilateral and illegal change” to the working conditions of medical specialists.

The union is now seeking an urgent return to the previous on-call system, including the reinstatement of all associated financial allowances.

Exhausting Conditions for Specialists

The disputed system, which has been in place since 1 August 2022, primarily affected:

• Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• Paediatricians
• Anaesthesiologists

Under these regulations, specialists were forced to work between 67 and 91 hours per week, often enduring continuous shifts lasting up to 31 consecutive hours.

These conditions sparked intense protest across the medical profession before the legal challenge.

Government Silence

Despite the court’s verdict nearly a month ago, the current system remains in effect.

Dr Meetheelesh Aubeeluck, President of the GMDOA, expressed frustration at the lack of progress, stating he could not understand why the Ministry of Health has yet to dismantle the arrangement.

When approached for comment on the tribunal’s decision and the union’s demands, Health Minister Anil Bachoo declined to respond.

Source: Defi Media